I left the U.S. Air Force to become a mom. I became a teacher because I knew I would be able to serve my country in a way that was far less dangerous than remaining in the military - or so I thought. And then Columbine happened, creating in me a deep cognitive dissonance. Teaching wasn’t supposed to equate to serving in a potential war zone.

Yesterday, on January 20, 2018, we reunited once again - this time to #MarchOnArkansas. Looking at all of you who gathered in downtown Little Rock in the name of resistance and persistence gave me so much so much hope.

As the only female candidate in the race for U.S. Representative French Hill’s seat in the 2nd Congressional District, I feel a strong sense of obligation to the women in this district. For far too long, we have been either unrepresented - and, in more recent years - underrepresented in Congress.

This week, when I returned to my classroom after our winter break, I was reminded yet again that many of my students don’t revel in vacation time. For them, a break from school means a cold home, a shortage of food and constant uncertainty.